“Legion, Wis³a KrakowLech, Widzew, Omonia Nicosia or Konyaspor – these are just a few of the clubs that Franciszek Smuda managed during his rich coaching career. The most important moment in his professional life was, of course, his appointment as the coach of the Polish national team” – wrote Hubert Pawlik from Sport.pl.
Robert Lewandowski said goodbye to Franciszek Smuda
“Thank you for everything, Coach!” Robert Lewandowski wrote on social media, attaching a photo of them together from their time playing for Lech Poznań in the 2008/2009 season.
It was during Franciszek Smuda's time at Lech Poznań that Robert Lewandowski joined the club from the capital of Wielkopolska. In the summer of 2008, “Kolejorz” paid Znicz Pruszków 380 thousand PLN for the almost 20-year-old striker. In 48 matches under Smuda's leadership, Lewandowski scored 20 goals and recorded 11 assists. At that time, Lech finished the season in third place in the Ekstraklasa, won the Polish Cup, and in the UEFA Cup was eliminated in the 1/16 finals after an extraordinary two-legged tie with Udinese (3:4).
In the squad led by Smuda, Lewandowski played 30 matches, scoring 11 goals and recording four assists.
Franciszek Smuda was also bid farewell earlier by, among others, the current president Polish Football Association Cezary Kulesza. “I received the news of Franciszek Smuda's death with great sadness. He was not only a decorated coach, but a true football enthusiast. A man who was always himself and did not pretend anything. My condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace” – Kulesza wrote on portal X.
Ekstraklasa has already announced that Sunday and Monday's matches will be preceded by a minute of silence.